Crustal structure of the transition zone between Precambrian and Variscan Europe from new seismic data along LT-7 profile (NW Poland and eastern Germany)

This paper gives the first presentation of the results of new seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection experiments along geotraverse LT-7, which crosses the Trans-European Suture Zone in northwestern Europe over northwest Poland and eastern Germany. Deep crustal structure beneath this zone is highly complex and shows large gravimetric and magnetic anomalies. Thickness of this crust varies from 31 km beneath the Variscides to 43 km under the Precambrian platform. In the Teisseyre-Tornquist zone the Moho discontinuity with velocity 8.2 km s^-1 was found at 35 km depth but at 50-55 km there is a reflecting boundary. Depth of the consolidated basement, with velocity about 5.8 km s^-1, in the transition zone between Variscan and Precambrian Europe in this area is 8 to 11 km. -from Authors